NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI: Infortar’s subsidiary completed the acquisition of shares in Estonia Farmid OÜ

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    After receiving an approval from Estonian and Latvian the Competition Authorities, OÜ Infortar Agro (former EG Biofond) fulfilled additional operations and preconditions, OÜ Infortar Agro acquired 96.6% shareholding in Estonia Farmid OÜ. The remaining 3.4% is held by Estonia Farmid OÜ´s subsidiary Osaühing Estonia.

    Aktsiaselts Infortar announced on 5 May 2025 that OÜ Infortar Agro is acquiring 96.6% shareholding in Estonia Farmid OÜ. After receiving an approval from Estonian and Latvian the Competition Authorities, today OÜ Infortar Agro fulfilled additional operations and preconditions, OÜ Infortar Agro acquired 96.6% shareholding in Estonia Farmid OÜ.

    “Estonia Farmid OÜ and the Halinga farm in Pärnumaa, acquired last year, undoubtedly belong to the absolute top tier of milk production in Europe — in terms of knowledge, technology, and output. Estonia is a dairy country, and our milk is highly valued throughout the region, and hopefully in the future, it will also become an increasingly important export product.” said Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Management Board of Infortar.

    “If we combine the dairy industry with circular economy and renewable energy, and build biomethane plants next to farms, we can produce not only high-quality milk but also Estonia’s own fuel — one that could power not only urban public transport but also heavy-duty transport. Biomethane simultaneously addresses environmental issues in both agriculture and public transport and helps the country as a whole achieve its climate goals,” noted Hanschmidt.

    Infortar Agro now cultivates a total of 13,100 hectares of land in the municipalities of Türi, Järva, and Northern Pärnumaa, which accounts for 1.33 percent of Estonia’s arable land. The group’s dairy farms are located in Central Estonia — in Oisu, Taikse, and Kabala — as well as in Halinga, Pärnumaa, with a total of 8,200 dairy cows and young animals. The average annual milk yield per cow at the Estonia and Halinga dairy farms is among the highest in Estonia, reaching up to 13,000 kilograms. The combined daily milk production of Estonia and Halinga amounts to 160 tons, which represents 6.5 percent of Estonia’s total milk output. Infortar Agro employs 220 people.

    The transaction is not treated as a transaction beyond everyday economic activities or a transaction of a significant importance, nor as a transaction with related persons, within the meaning of the “Requirements for Issuers” part of the NASDAQ Tallinn Stock Exchange rules. The transaction does not have a significant impact on Aktsiaselts Infortar’s activities.

    The members of the Supervisory Board and the Management Board of Aktsiaselts Infortar are not personally interested in the transaction in any other way.

    Infortar operates in seven countries, the company’s main fields of activity are maritime transport, energy and real estate. Infortar owns a 68.47% stake in Tallink Grupp, a 100% stake in Elenger Grupp and a versatile and modern real estate portfolio of approx. 141,000 m2. In addition to the three main areas of activity, Infortar also operates in construction and mineral resources, agriculture, printing, and other areas. A total of 110 companies belong to the Infortar group: 101 subsidiaries, 4 affiliated companies and 5 subsidiaries of affiliated companies. Excluding affiliates, Infortar employs 6,296 people.

    Additional information:
    Kadri Laanvee
    Investor Relations Manager
    Phone: +372 5156662
    e-mail: kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee
    www.infortar.ee/en/investor

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lesley Green, Professor of Earth Politics and Director: Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape Town

    Urban water bodies – rivers, lakes and oceans – are in trouble globally. Large sewage volumes damage the open environment, and new chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds don’t break down on their own. When they are released into the open environment, they build up in living tissues all along the food chain, bringing with them multiple health risks.

    The city of Cape Town, South Africa, is no exception. It has 300km of coastline along two bays and a peninsula, as well as multiple rivers and wetlands. The city discharges more than 40 megalitres of raw sewage directly into the Atlantic Ocean every day. In addition, large volumes of poorly treated sewage and runoff from shack settlements enter rivers and from there into both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

    Over almost a decade, our multi-disciplinary team, and others, have studied contamination risks in Cape Town’s oceans, rivers, aquifers and lakes. Our goal has been to bring evidence of contaminants to the attention of officials responsible for a clean environment.

    Monitoring sewage levels in the city’s water bodies is essential because of the health risks posed by contaminated water to all citizens – farmers, surfers, and everybody eating fish and vegetables. Monitoring needs to be done scientifically and in a way that produces data that is trustworthy and not driven by vested interests. This is a challenge in cities where scientific findings are expected to support marketing of tourism or excellence of the political administration.

    Our research findings have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. We have also communicated with the public through articles in the media, a website and a documentary.

    Cape Town’s official municipal responses to independent studies and reports, however, have been hostile. Our work has been unjustifiably denounced by top city officials and politicians. We have been subject to attacks by fake social media avatars. Laboratory studies have even received a demand for an apology from the political party in charge of the city.

    These extraordinary responses – and many others – reflect the extent to which independent scientific inquiry has been under attack.

    We set about tracking the different kinds of denial and attacks on independent contaminant science in Cape Town over 11 years. Our recently published study describes 18 different types of science communication that have minimised or denied the problem of contamination. It builds on similar studies elsewhere.

    Our findings show the extent to which contaminant science in Cape Town is at risk of producing not public knowledge but public ignorance, reflecting similar patterns internationally where science communication sometimes obfuscates more than it informs. To address this risk, we argue that institutionalised conflicts of interest should be removed. There should also be changes to how city-funded testing is done and when data is released to citizens. After all, it is citizens’ rates and taxes that have paid for that testing, and the South African constitution guarantees the right to information.

    We also propose that the city’s political leaders take the courageous step of accepting that the current water treatment infrastructure is unworkable for a city of over 5 million people. Accepting this would open the door to an overhaul of the city’s approach to wastewater treatment.

    The way forward

    We divided our study of contaminant communication events into four sub-categories:

    • non-disclosure of data

    • misinformation that gives a partial or misleading account of a scientific finding

    • using city-funded science to bolster political authority

    • relying on point data collected fortnightly to prove “the truth” of bodies of water as if it never moves or changes, when in reality, water bodies move every second of every day.

    We found evidence of multiple instances of miscommunication. On the basis of these, we make specific recommendations.

    First: municipalities should address conflicts of interest that are built into their organisational structure. These arise when the people responsible for ensuring that water bodies are healthy are simultaneously contracting consultants to conduct research on water contaminants. This is particularly important because over the last two decades large consultancies have established themselves as providers of scientific certification. But they are profit-making ventures, which calls into question the independence of their findings.

    Second: the issue of data release needs to be addressed. Two particular problems stand out:

    • Real-time information. Water quality results for beaches are usually released a week or more after samples have been taken. But because water moves all the time every day, people living in the city need real-time information. Best-practice water contamination measures use water current models to predict where contaminated water will be, given each day’s different winds and temperatures.

    • Poor and incomplete data. When ocean contaminant data is released as a 12-month rolling average, all the very high values are smoothed out. The end result is a figure that does not communicate the reality of risks under different conditions.

    Third: Politicians should be accountable for their public statements on science. Independent and authoritative scientific bodies, such as the Academy of Science of South Africa, should be empowered to audit municipal science communications.

    Fourth: Reputational harm to the science community must stop. Government officials claiming that they alone know a scientific truth and denouncing independent scientists with other data closes down the culture of scientific inquiry. And it silences others.

    Fifth: The integrity of scientific findings needs to be protected. Many cities, including Cape Town, rely on corporate brand management and political reputation management. Nevertheless, cities, by their very nature, have to deal with sewage, wastes and runoff. Public science communication that is based on marketing strategies prioritises advancing a brand (whether of a political party or a tourist destination). The risk is that city-funded science is turned into advertising and is presented as unquestionable.

    Finally, Cape Town needs political leaders who are courageous enough to confront two evident realities. Current science communications in the city are not serving the public well, and wastewater treatment systems that use rivers and oceans as open sewers are a solution designed a century ago. Both urgently need to be reconfigured.

    Next steps

    As a team of independent contaminant researchers we have worked alongside communities where health, ecology, livestock and recreation have been profoundly harmed by ongoing contamination. We have documented these effects, only to hear the evidence denied by officials.

    We recognise and value the beginnings of some new steps to data transparency in Cape Town’s mayoral office, like rescinding the 2021 by-law that banned independent scientific testing of open water bodies, almost all of which are classified as nature reserves.

    We would welcome a dialogue on building strong and credible public science communications.

    This study is dedicated to the memory of Mpharu Hloyi, head of Scientific Services in the City of Cape Town, in acknowledgement of her dedication to the health of urban bodies of water. Her untimely passing was a loss for all.

    This article also drew on Masters theses written by Melissa Zackon and Amy Beukes.

    – Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public
    – https://theconversation.com/cape-towns-sewage-treatment-isnt-coping-scientists-are-worried-about-what-the-city-is-telling-the-public-260317

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lesley Green, Professor of Earth Politics and Director: Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape Town

    Urban water bodies – rivers, lakes and oceans – are in trouble globally. Large sewage volumes damage the open environment, and new chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds don’t break down on their own. When they are released into the open environment, they build up in living tissues all along the food chain, bringing with them multiple health risks.

    The city of Cape Town, South Africa, is no exception. It has 300km of coastline along two bays and a peninsula, as well as multiple rivers and wetlands. The city discharges more than 40 megalitres of raw sewage directly into the Atlantic Ocean every day. In addition, large volumes of poorly treated sewage and runoff from shack settlements enter rivers and from there into both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

    Over almost a decade, our multi-disciplinary team, and others, have studied contamination risks in Cape Town’s oceans, rivers, aquifers and lakes. Our goal has been to bring evidence of contaminants to the attention of officials responsible for a clean environment.

    Monitoring sewage levels in the city’s water bodies is essential because of the health risks posed by contaminated water to all citizens – farmers, surfers, and everybody eating fish and vegetables. Monitoring needs to be done scientifically and in a way that produces data that is trustworthy and not driven by vested interests. This is a challenge in cities where scientific findings are expected to support marketing of tourism or excellence of the political administration.

    Our research findings have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. We have also communicated with the public through articles in the media, a website and a documentary.

    Cape Town’s official municipal responses to independent studies and reports, however, have been hostile. Our work has been unjustifiably denounced by top city officials and politicians. We have been subject to attacks by fake social media avatars. Laboratory studies have even received a demand for an apology from the political party in charge of the city.

    These extraordinary responses – and many others – reflect the extent to which independent scientific inquiry has been under attack.

    We set about tracking the different kinds of denial and attacks on independent contaminant science in Cape Town over 11 years. Our recently published study describes 18 different types of science communication that have minimised or denied the problem of contamination. It builds on similar studies elsewhere.

    Our findings show the extent to which contaminant science in Cape Town is at risk of producing not public knowledge but public ignorance, reflecting similar patterns internationally where science communication sometimes obfuscates more than it informs. To address this risk, we argue that institutionalised conflicts of interest should be removed. There should also be changes to how city-funded testing is done and when data is released to citizens. After all, it is citizens’ rates and taxes that have paid for that testing, and the South African constitution guarantees the right to information.

    We also propose that the city’s political leaders take the courageous step of accepting that the current water treatment infrastructure is unworkable for a city of over 5 million people. Accepting this would open the door to an overhaul of the city’s approach to wastewater treatment.

    The way forward

    We divided our study of contaminant communication events into four sub-categories:

    • non-disclosure of data

    • misinformation that gives a partial or misleading account of a scientific finding

    • using city-funded science to bolster political authority

    • relying on point data collected fortnightly to prove “the truth” of bodies of water as if it never moves or changes, when in reality, water bodies move every second of every day.

    We found evidence of multiple instances of miscommunication. On the basis of these, we make specific recommendations.

    First: municipalities should address conflicts of interest that are built into their organisational structure. These arise when the people responsible for ensuring that water bodies are healthy are simultaneously contracting consultants to conduct research on water contaminants. This is particularly important because over the last two decades large consultancies have established themselves as providers of scientific certification. But they are profit-making ventures, which calls into question the independence of their findings.

    Second: the issue of data release needs to be addressed. Two particular problems stand out:

    • Real-time information. Water quality results for beaches are usually released a week or more after samples have been taken. But because water moves all the time every day, people living in the city need real-time information. Best-practice water contamination measures use water current models to predict where contaminated water will be, given each day’s different winds and temperatures.

    • Poor and incomplete data. When ocean contaminant data is released as a 12-month rolling average, all the very high values are smoothed out. The end result is a figure that does not communicate the reality of risks under different conditions.

    Third: Politicians should be accountable for their public statements on science. Independent and authoritative scientific bodies, such as the Academy of Science of South Africa, should be empowered to audit municipal science communications.

    Fourth: Reputational harm to the science community must stop. Government officials claiming that they alone know a scientific truth and denouncing independent scientists with other data closes down the culture of scientific inquiry. And it silences others.

    Fifth: The integrity of scientific findings needs to be protected. Many cities, including Cape Town, rely on corporate brand management and political reputation management. Nevertheless, cities, by their very nature, have to deal with sewage, wastes and runoff. Public science communication that is based on marketing strategies prioritises advancing a brand (whether of a political party or a tourist destination). The risk is that city-funded science is turned into advertising and is presented as unquestionable.

    Finally, Cape Town needs political leaders who are courageous enough to confront two evident realities. Current science communications in the city are not serving the public well, and wastewater treatment systems that use rivers and oceans as open sewers are a solution designed a century ago. Both urgently need to be reconfigured.

    Next steps

    As a team of independent contaminant researchers we have worked alongside communities where health, ecology, livestock and recreation have been profoundly harmed by ongoing contamination. We have documented these effects, only to hear the evidence denied by officials.

    We recognise and value the beginnings of some new steps to data transparency in Cape Town’s mayoral office, like rescinding the 2021 by-law that banned independent scientific testing of open water bodies, almost all of which are classified as nature reserves.

    We would welcome a dialogue on building strong and credible public science communications.

    This study is dedicated to the memory of Mpharu Hloyi, head of Scientific Services in the City of Cape Town, in acknowledgement of her dedication to the health of urban bodies of water. Her untimely passing was a loss for all.

    This article also drew on Masters theses written by Melissa Zackon and Amy Beukes.

    Lesley Green has received funding from the Science for Africa Foundation; the Seed Box MISTRA Formas Environmental Humanities Collaboratory; and the Science For Africa Foundation’s DELTAS Africa II program (Del:22-010).

    Cecilia Yejide Ojemaye receives funding from the University of Cape Town Carnegie DEAL Sustainable Development Goals Research Fellowship and the National Research Foundation for the SanOcean grant from the South Africa‐Norway Cooperation on Ocean Research (UID 118754).

    Leslie Petrik received funding from National Research Foundation for the SanOcean grant from the South Africa‐Norway Cooperation on Ocean Research (UID 118754) for this study.

    Nikiwe Solomon received funding at different stages for PhD research from the Water Research Commission (WRC) and National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA). Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the WRC, NIHSS and SAHUDA.

    Jo Barnes and Vanessa Farr do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public – https://theconversation.com/cape-towns-sewage-treatment-isnt-coping-scientists-are-worried-about-what-the-city-is-telling-the-public-260317

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lesley Green, Professor of Earth Politics and Director: Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape Town

    Urban water bodies – rivers, lakes and oceans – are in trouble globally. Large sewage volumes damage the open environment, and new chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds don’t break down on their own. When they are released into the open environment, they build up in living tissues all along the food chain, bringing with them multiple health risks.

    The city of Cape Town, South Africa, is no exception. It has 300km of coastline along two bays and a peninsula, as well as multiple rivers and wetlands. The city discharges more than 40 megalitres of raw sewage directly into the Atlantic Ocean every day. In addition, large volumes of poorly treated sewage and runoff from shack settlements enter rivers and from there into both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

    Over almost a decade, our multi-disciplinary team, and others, have studied contamination risks in Cape Town’s oceans, rivers, aquifers and lakes. Our goal has been to bring evidence of contaminants to the attention of officials responsible for a clean environment.

    Monitoring sewage levels in the city’s water bodies is essential because of the health risks posed by contaminated water to all citizens – farmers, surfers, and everybody eating fish and vegetables. Monitoring needs to be done scientifically and in a way that produces data that is trustworthy and not driven by vested interests. This is a challenge in cities where scientific findings are expected to support marketing of tourism or excellence of the political administration.

    Our research findings have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. We have also communicated with the public through articles in the media, a website and a documentary.

    Cape Town’s official municipal responses to independent studies and reports, however, have been hostile. Our work has been unjustifiably denounced by top city officials and politicians. We have been subject to attacks by fake social media avatars. Laboratory studies have even received a demand for an apology from the political party in charge of the city.

    These extraordinary responses – and many others – reflect the extent to which independent scientific inquiry has been under attack.

    We set about tracking the different kinds of denial and attacks on independent contaminant science in Cape Town over 11 years. Our recently published study describes 18 different types of science communication that have minimised or denied the problem of contamination. It builds on similar studies elsewhere.

    Our findings show the extent to which contaminant science in Cape Town is at risk of producing not public knowledge but public ignorance, reflecting similar patterns internationally where science communication sometimes obfuscates more than it informs. To address this risk, we argue that institutionalised conflicts of interest should be removed. There should also be changes to how city-funded testing is done and when data is released to citizens. After all, it is citizens’ rates and taxes that have paid for that testing, and the South African constitution guarantees the right to information.

    We also propose that the city’s political leaders take the courageous step of accepting that the current water treatment infrastructure is unworkable for a city of over 5 million people. Accepting this would open the door to an overhaul of the city’s approach to wastewater treatment.

    The way forward

    We divided our study of contaminant communication events into four sub-categories:

    • non-disclosure of data

    • misinformation that gives a partial or misleading account of a scientific finding

    • using city-funded science to bolster political authority

    • relying on point data collected fortnightly to prove “the truth” of bodies of water as if it never moves or changes, when in reality, water bodies move every second of every day.

    We found evidence of multiple instances of miscommunication. On the basis of these, we make specific recommendations.

    First: municipalities should address conflicts of interest that are built into their organisational structure. These arise when the people responsible for ensuring that water bodies are healthy are simultaneously contracting consultants to conduct research on water contaminants. This is particularly important because over the last two decades large consultancies have established themselves as providers of scientific certification. But they are profit-making ventures, which calls into question the independence of their findings.

    Second: the issue of data release needs to be addressed. Two particular problems stand out:

    • Real-time information. Water quality results for beaches are usually released a week or more after samples have been taken. But because water moves all the time every day, people living in the city need real-time information. Best-practice water contamination measures use water current models to predict where contaminated water will be, given each day’s different winds and temperatures.

    • Poor and incomplete data. When ocean contaminant data is released as a 12-month rolling average, all the very high values are smoothed out. The end result is a figure that does not communicate the reality of risks under different conditions.

    Third: Politicians should be accountable for their public statements on science. Independent and authoritative scientific bodies, such as the Academy of Science of South Africa, should be empowered to audit municipal science communications.

    Fourth: Reputational harm to the science community must stop. Government officials claiming that they alone know a scientific truth and denouncing independent scientists with other data closes down the culture of scientific inquiry. And it silences others.

    Fifth: The integrity of scientific findings needs to be protected. Many cities, including Cape Town, rely on corporate brand management and political reputation management. Nevertheless, cities, by their very nature, have to deal with sewage, wastes and runoff. Public science communication that is based on marketing strategies prioritises advancing a brand (whether of a political party or a tourist destination). The risk is that city-funded science is turned into advertising and is presented as unquestionable.

    Finally, Cape Town needs political leaders who are courageous enough to confront two evident realities. Current science communications in the city are not serving the public well, and wastewater treatment systems that use rivers and oceans as open sewers are a solution designed a century ago. Both urgently need to be reconfigured.

    Next steps

    As a team of independent contaminant researchers we have worked alongside communities where health, ecology, livestock and recreation have been profoundly harmed by ongoing contamination. We have documented these effects, only to hear the evidence denied by officials.

    We recognise and value the beginnings of some new steps to data transparency in Cape Town’s mayoral office, like rescinding the 2021 by-law that banned independent scientific testing of open water bodies, almost all of which are classified as nature reserves.

    We would welcome a dialogue on building strong and credible public science communications.

    This study is dedicated to the memory of Mpharu Hloyi, head of Scientific Services in the City of Cape Town, in acknowledgement of her dedication to the health of urban bodies of water. Her untimely passing was a loss for all.

    This article also drew on Masters theses written by Melissa Zackon and Amy Beukes.

    Lesley Green has received funding from the Science for Africa Foundation; the Seed Box MISTRA Formas Environmental Humanities Collaboratory; and the Science For Africa Foundation’s DELTAS Africa II program (Del:22-010).

    Cecilia Yejide Ojemaye receives funding from the University of Cape Town Carnegie DEAL Sustainable Development Goals Research Fellowship and the National Research Foundation for the SanOcean grant from the South Africa‐Norway Cooperation on Ocean Research (UID 118754).

    Leslie Petrik received funding from National Research Foundation for the SanOcean grant from the South Africa‐Norway Cooperation on Ocean Research (UID 118754) for this study.

    Nikiwe Solomon received funding at different stages for PhD research from the Water Research Commission (WRC) and National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA). Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the WRC, NIHSS and SAHUDA.

    Jo Barnes and Vanessa Farr do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public – https://theconversation.com/cape-towns-sewage-treatment-isnt-coping-scientists-are-worried-about-what-the-city-is-telling-the-public-260317

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China unveils plan to develop domestic services sector

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) — China on Monday unveiled an action plan to develop the consumer services sector to boost rural development in all areas.

    The plan, jointly released by China’s Ministry of Commerce and eight other government departments, aims to increase the supply of home care services in the market, stimulate consumer demand for them, and help improve people’s quality of life and stabilize employment.

    The document sets out 14 specific measures: support for attracting rural labor to the sphere of household services, intensifying professional training in order to improve its qualifications, improving social security for those employed in this sphere, etc.

    The plan aims to increase the supply of affordable housing, ensure that rural migrants providing home care services in cities have equal access to basic public services and create conditions for their rapid integration into urban life.

    As of the end of 2024, there were nearly 300 million migrant farmers in China. And the household services sector is recognized as a key driver of employment. Currently, it employs over 30 million people and more than a million enterprises, with a market size of over 1.1 trillion yuan (about 154 billion US dollars). -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Marine fish culture licences and deep sea cages in Mirs Bay (South) new fish culture zone open for applications

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    ​The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (July 7) that applications for marine fish culture licences and the use of government-provided deep sea cages in the new fish culture zone at Mirs Bay (South) are open for applications from today until September 6, to assist capture fishermen in switching to sustainable deep sea mariculture.

    A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Unlike the small-scale operations using traditional wooden fish rafts in the past, we aim to encourage the intensification of production for fishermen in the new fish culture zones while adopting a sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of operation, together with the use of steel truss cages or other types of deep sea cages that are resilient to strong wind and water current.” 

    To reduce the start-up cost for fishermen, the AFCD will set up two sets of steel truss deep sea cages and three sets of HDPE (high density polyethylene) deep sea cages equipped with modern aquaculture facilities in phases in the new fish culture zone at Mirs Bay (South) by the end of this year. These deep sea cages will be provided to local fishermen associations through licence agreements to help capture fishermen meet new challenges and assist the industry in switching to sustainable development or high-value-added aquaculture practices. 

    Applicants shall provide a detailed business plan, including an introduction to the proposed sustainable mariculture business, as well as a demonstration of their eligibility to use government cages and compliance with the relevant environmental protection and mitigation measures. 

    The spokesman added that those interested in operating in the new fish culture zone may consider applying for the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund to develop their mariculture businesses. However, the fund cannot be used to pay for the licence fees of government cages. 

    The AFCD has designated Wong Chuk Kok Hoi, Mirs Bay, Outer Tap Mun, and Po Toi (Southeast) as the four new fish culture zones, covering a total area equivalent to three times that of the original fish culture zones. Among these, the Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay fish culture zones began accepting the first round of marine fish culture licence applications by the end of 2024. 

    The AFCD will hold a briefing session on July 17 to introduce the application process and licensing requirements of marine fish culture licences and the use of deep sea cages. Details of the application and the briefing session are available on the AFCD website: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mfco/newfczmfcl2025.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Traditional leaders pay tribute to late former Deputy President Mabuza

    Source: Government of South Africa

    The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) has joined the nation in mourning former Deputy President David Mabuza.

    “On behalf of the collective institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership, the House expresses its deep sorrow at the loss of former Deputy President Mabuza, who passed away following a short illness.

    “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Mabuza, the children, and the people of Mpumalanga during this time of grief,” said a statement issued by the NKTKL chairperson, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo. 

    Mabuza passed away on Thursday, 3 July, at the age of 64, following a brief illness.

    The House worked closely with Mabuza during his time as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Traditional Leadership.

    The task team was established to respond to issues raised by traditional and Khoi-San leaders. 

    The ongoing discussions between government and traditional leaders are focused on addressing the development issues faced by traditional communities, including the concerns of traditional and Khoi-San leaders.

    Throughout his public service, the NHTKL noted that  Mabuza had consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing the relationship between government and traditional leadership.

    “He promoted meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect, leaving a lasting legacy of unity and cooperation.” 

    From his early role as MEC for Agriculture to becoming Premier of Mpumalanga and later Deputy President, traditional leaders noted that he consistently prioritised engagement with traditional leaders across the country.

    “We hold his family, friends, and the people of Mpumalanga in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” the House said. 

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the late former Deputy President will be honoured with a State Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 12 July 2025.

    According to the State, Official, and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual of The Presidency, a State Funeral Category 2 is designated for the Deputy President of the Republic, the Acting President, and former Deputy Presidents. 

    This category of funeral includes the prescribed military ceremonial honours.

    As preparations are underway, President Ramaphosa has declared that a period of National Mourning will be observed from today, Monday, 7 July, until the evening of Saturday, 12 July. 

    The late former Deputy President is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown in Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Labour took ‘little time taking hope away’ – this is Labour’s legacy after a year in Government – Plaid Cymru

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru Leader pledges ‘a new contract of respect and understanding’ with a Plaid Cymru government next May.

    Labour have turned their backs on the people who elected them, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth has said.

    Noting one year since the UK General Election which saw Labour win a substantial majority, Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of spending the year displaying a ‘reckless attitude’ towards their party’s values, while Plaid Cymru have been creating plans to improve public services.

    Mr ap Iorwerth highlighted several examples of decisions made by UK Labour that shows them having ‘taken hope away’ from those who voted for them – including cutting the Winter Fuel Payment, changes to disability welfare and the introduction of inheritance tax on family farms.

    The Plaid Cymru leader continued by listing policies Plaid Cymru had announced in the last year that offers respect and understanding to the people of Wales, while Labour has ‘failed’ to make the relationship between Wales and Westminster ‘less unjust’.

    He said that a Plaid Cymru Government would ‘unlock Wales’ potential’.

    Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said:

    “The message – foregrounded and front-loaded in Labour’s 2024 General Election Manifesto – was, superficially at least, a nod to better days ahead. Exactly one year on since that General Election, the reality could hardly be more different.

    “The disabled fearful, pensioners paying the price and farmers furious. Seldom has an incoming government wasted so little time before taking hope away.

    “The ‘Change’ placards have long been flung on the scrapheap, replaced by a trudging managerialism at best, a reckless attitude towards some of the party’s values at worst, and tired platitudes which can so often be painful to watch. 

    “Eluned Morgan has never appeared to fully believe in our nation’s ability to stand on its own two feet, she’s also failed to make our relationship with Westminster less unjust.

    Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, added:

    “I believe in Wales, its people and its possibilities.  Next May, the people of Wales have the opportunity to elect a new government underpinned by a new contract of respect and understanding. 

    “With Plaid Cymru’s plans to cut waiting times, support small businesses, tackle the cost of living crisis and harness our natural wealth, we can do things differently in Wales. 

    “For anyone who refuses to believe that this is as good as it gets for our communities, and for everyone let down by Westminster’s broken promises, real change is possible with a Plaid Cymru government next May.

    “Plaid Cymru are excited about what Wales’ future holds – we have real ambition for our nation. I know that the repeated disappointment from Labour in the Senedd and in Westminster is not the best that Wales can be. I know that with a Plaid Cymru Government in the Senedd in 2026, Wales’ potential can be unlocked.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy: press conference on Tuesday at 9:00

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Agriculture Committee rapporteur Carmen Crespo Díaz will brief journalists on Tuesday on the upcoming reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

    Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES) will hold a press conference on the future of EU agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy, following the adoption by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of a report setting out MEPs’ demands on Monday 7 July evening.

    When: Tuesday 8 July at 9.00 CEST

    Where: European Parliament in Strasburg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N-1/201) and online, with interpretation to and from English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish.

    How: Accredited journalists can join the press conference in person. Those wishing to actively participate and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and become available on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.

    Background

    The European Commission plans to announce the 2028-2034 common agriculture policy proposal together with the next long‑term budget in mid-July 2025. The report by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will be put to a vote by the whole Parliament in a next plenary session.

    Using Interactio to ask questions

    Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy: press conference on Tuesday at 9:00

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Agriculture Committee rapporteur Carmen Crespo Díaz will brief journalists on Tuesday on the upcoming reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

    Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES) will hold a press conference on the future of EU agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy, following the adoption by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of a report setting out MEPs’ demands on Monday 7 July evening.

    When: Tuesday 8 July at 9.00 CEST

    Where: European Parliament in Strasburg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N-1/201) and online, with interpretation to and from English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish.

    How: Accredited journalists can join the press conference in person. Those wishing to actively participate and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and become available on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.

    Background

    The European Commission plans to announce the 2028-2034 common agriculture policy proposal together with the next long‑term budget in mid-July 2025. The report by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will be put to a vote by the whole Parliament in a next plenary session.

    Using Interactio to ask questions

    Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: Chukotka will present an art object for the VEF anniversary at the exhibition “Far East Street”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street”. The large-scale cultural event will take place from September 3 to 9 as part of the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Chukotka will present guests with information about the largest projects, urban renovation, investments, and opportunities for work and travel in the region. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Based on the results of last year, Chukotka demonstrated positive dynamics in a number of indicators. Industrial production and investments in fixed capital grew by 9%, and mineral extraction by 3%. The Russian government provides support to the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. Three preferential regimes are in effect in the region: the Chukotka Priority Development Area, the Vladivostok Free Port, and the Arctic Zone regime. The consolidated budget revenues and the region’s own revenues have grown. These northern lands are home to strong-willed, courageous, and purposeful people who work in manufacturing and mines, develop deposits, preserve the traditions of reindeer herding, and provide our country with copper and tin, coal and gas, fish and seafood. Thanks to the measures taken by the government, people’s lives are changing. Anadyr is being updated according to the master plan approved by the President. Facilities are being built and reconstructed within the framework of national projects and the presidential single subsidy. The main task is to ensure that people’s lives change qualitatively and that an appropriate level of social infrastructure is created,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The space of the main Chukotka pavilion will be divided into thematic zones in several areas: history, culture, economy, tourism. Visitors will be able to get to know the region through real stories of local residents. The pavilion will feature interviews with entrepreneurs and representatives of rare professions, such as an Arctic farmer or caviar taster. It is also planned to place materials about the projects of Rosatom and the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant in the zones, including interactive maps, architectural plans and development prospects for these enterprises.

    “This year we celebrate three significant dates: 95 years of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, 80 years of the Great Victory, and 10 years of the Eastern Economic Forum. Our exhibition on Far East Street reflects this connection of times: the memory of the past, the dynamics of the present, and plans for the future. We invite guests of the forum and everyone to Far East Street to discover the unique Arctic,” said Vladislav Kuznetsov, Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

    The region is developing a rich business program. In particular, it is planned to hold presentations of Arctic brands for potential investors and foreign partners, round tables and strategic sessions, an interregional meeting of cultural representatives.

    The creative products zone will feature local brands, and visitors will be able to see authentic products from the region and purchase them as souvenirs.

    In addition, a “Chukotka for Victory” zone will be created to show video materials about the region’s contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. An interactive wall with images of defenders of the Fatherland – a pilot, a reindeer herder and a soldier – will be installed in the zone. The central element will be an art object dedicated to the participants of the special military operation.

    The street exhibition will be decorated with monumental compositions. Three abstract vertical steles will be installed here, reaching into the sky. St. George ribbons, logos of Chukotka and the Eastern Economic Forum will be placed under each figure. The art objects will reflect three anniversary dates: 95 years of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, 80 years of the Great Victory, 10 years of the EEF.

    In addition, a sculpture of a walrus, a symbol of the region, will be installed at the stand. Nearby, there will be glowing Eskimo balls, personifying the sun among the indigenous peoples of Chukotka. The State Academic Chukchi-Eskimo Ensemble “Ergyron” and artists from the District House of Folk Art will also perform for the guests of the forum.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sustainable fishing applications open

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Applications for marine fish culture licences and the use of government-provided deep sea cages in the new fish culture zone at Mirs Bay (South) are open from today until September 6, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced.

     

    The department explained that it hopes to encourage the intensification of production for fishermen in the new fish culture zones while adopting a sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of operation, together with the use of cages that are resilient to strong wind and water currents.

     

    To reduce the start-up cost for fishermen, the department will set up two sets of steel truss deep sea cages and three sets of high density polyethylene deep sea cages equipped with modern aquaculture facilities in phases in the new fish culture zone at Mirs Bay (South) by the end of this year. The deep sea cages will be provided to local fishermen associations through licence agreements.

     

    Applicants shall provide a detailed business plan, including an introduction to the proposed sustainable mariculture business, as well as a demonstration of their eligibility to use government cages and compliance with the relevant environmental protection and mitigation measures.

     

    While the department added that people interested in operating in the new fish culture zone may consider applying for the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund, it also stressed that the fund cannot be used to pay for the licence fees of government cages.

     

    A briefing session will be held on July 17 to introduce the application process and licensing requirements of marine fish culture licences and the use of deep sea cages.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Amit Shah marks 4 years of Ministry of Cooperation with major announcements in Anand, Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Underlining that cooperation has been an integral part of Indian society since the Vedic era, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave this tradition a formal structure by establishing the Ministry of Cooperation four years ago.

    Shah was speaking at a special event in Anand, Gujarat, marking the fourth anniversary of the ministry’s formation and commemorating the 150th birth anniversary year of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

    The event, organised by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), featured several major launches, inaugurations, and policy highlights aimed at strengthening India’s cooperative movement.

    He said that PM Modi institutionalized this tradition by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation four years ago, breathing new life into over 8.4 lakh cooperative societies linked to nearly 31 crore people.

    Shah said that the Ministry has undertaken more than 60 initiatives over the past four years, all built upon a strategic foundation of “Five Ps”: People, PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), Platform, Policy, and Prosperity. He explained that these initiatives aim to directly benefit citizens, empower PACS at the grassroots level, promote digital platforms for cooperative activity, ensure member-focused policies, and deliver shared prosperity for society as a whole.

    A major milestone announced during the event was the launch of the newly formed multi-state cooperative body, Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited, along with the unveiling of its official logo. Shah highlighted that this federation will help complete a sustainable cycle in the dairy sector, involving fair milk procurement, input services, price compensation, and circular economy practices. He further explained that the model will mirror the success of Amul and will directly benefit dairy farmers across India.

    Also unveiled were the expansion of Amul’s Chocolate Plant at Mogar, worth ₹105 crore, and the Cheese Plant at Khatraj, valued at ₹260 crore. The chocolate plant’s capacity will now double from 30 to 60 tonnes per day. The modernized cheese plant will also manufacture UHT milk, mozzarella cheese, whey-based beverages, and include facilities for smart warehousing and cheese packaging.

    The Union Minister inaugurated the Ready-to-Use Culture (RUC) Plant developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) at a cost of ₹45 crore. He also inaugurated the new office of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI)—the Maniben Patel Bhawan—constructed at a cost of ₹32 crore, and laid the foundation stone of NDDB’s new headquarters building in Anand.

    Shah spoke about the newly formed Kutch District Salt Cooperative Society, describing it as a model that would empower salt-producing laborers, similar to how Amul transformed dairy farming. He added that initiatives such as establishing 2 lakh new PACS, a National Cooperative University, a National Cooperative Database, and several national-level cooperatives for grains and dairy sectors are part of the government’s effort to further strengthen the cooperative landscape.

    In the spirit of the International Year of Cooperatives, Shah stressed the need to embed three critical values in cooperative functioning—transparency, adoption of technology, and keeping cooperative members at the center of decision-making. He cautioned that a lack of transparency weakens cooperation, and institutions that resist technology or overlook member interests often fail to survive.

    The event was attended by dignitaries including Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S.P. Singh Baghel, and Union Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani.

    Paying tribute to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, Shah recalled his contributions to India’s unity and sovereignty, particularly his role in integrating Kashmir and West Bengal into the Indian Union. He praised Dr. Mookerjee’s famous call for “one constitution, one flag, and one Prime Minister,” noting that his ultimate sacrifice laid the groundwork for national unity.

    Shah called on cooperative leaders and members across the nation to internalize the values of transparency, technology, and inclusivity to ensure the sustainability and success of India’s cooperative model.

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Pacific-Solomon Islands – 62 companies sign PSA contracts with SIG/MRD to supply materials to constituencies

    Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

    The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has completed the qualification process and recently signed legally binding agreements with 62 private companies under the Solomon Islands Government Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA).

    The PSA qualifies these Companies to supply materials, equipment, goods and services to the national government through the 50 constituencies.

    This signing marks a significant milestone toward the full implementation of the 2025 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) budget; enabling the mobilization of essential resources for rural development projects and community improvements.

    The PSA is a SIG procurement administrative process designed to streamline and fix procurement procedures particularly for commonly procured goods or equipment by engaging legally registered, genuine, and qualified companies to supply goods and services to the government. The goal is to improve efficiency and ensure the delivery of quality services to both the government and the public.

    “The PSA contracts are valid for one year, with procurement of goods and services governed by and in compliance with Sections 73 and 74 of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act 2013 and Section 28 of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Act 2023” MRD said in an official statement.

    “The processes will be closely monitored by MRD in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) to ensure all procurement procedures under the relevant sections of the PFM Act 2013, SIG Procurement Manual and the CDF Act 2023 are complied with, guaranteeing that quality goods and services are delivered to the constituencies,” the statement added.

    It further explained that, to ensure impartiality, the PSA underwent a rigorous selection and evaluation process, including physical site inspections and assessments on suppliers conducted by the MRD Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC). The process also involved scrutiny by the Ministry of Finance (MoFT) and the Central Tender Board (CTB) before contracts were awarded to successful suppliers.

    Regarding pricing, MRD secured fixed prices for various items based on prevailing market rates, ensuring value for money and consistent quality of materials purchased by constituencies for development projects.

    Price evaluation was conducted exclusively for the 62 qualified companies across the following categories/items:

    Hardware and Building Materials
    Forestry Milling Products
    Marine, Seagoing, and Fishing Equipment
    Plant & Motor Vehicles
    Electrification Supplies
    Plumbing, Water Supply, and Sanitation Equipment
    Communication, Musical, and Sound Equipment
    Sports Equipment and Accessories
    Agriculture and Gardening Equipment
    Tailoring, Embroidery, and Fabric Printing Equipment
    Cookery, Bakery, and Kitchenware
    Retail Goods

    The CTB serves as the awarding authority, responsible for the tender awards following the completion of all technical evaluation processes undertaken by MRD. PSA contracts are prepared by MRD, with signatories including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (Chairman of the CTB), PS MRD (Chairman of the Ministerial Tender Board, MTB), and the suppliers.

    The contracts are valid for one year (12 months), with fixed prices throughout the period. The list of the qualified suppliers for the PSA will be published when all contract documentations are finalised soon.

    The Tender for the PSA was publicized in October 2024, with 68 companies submitting bids. After thorough evaluation, six companies were disqualified for failing to meet the minimum technical requirements outlined in the tender documentation, including Section VI, Schedule of Requirements. MRD also undertook a quick review of the selling prices of commonly procured goods under the PSA which resulted in some decrease in pricing on some commonly procured goods under the scheme.

    Funding for the 2025 PSA is allocated from the MRD/SIG Development Budget.

    The SIG support to the Constituency Development Program totals $250 million, which will be equally shared among the 50 constituencies—each receiving $5 million. Of this amount, $3.2 million is allocated and to be processed via the Preferred Suppliers Arrangement, while $1.8 million is provided as grants to the respective constituencies.

    Funding utilization will follow the sectoral allocations stipulated in the CDF Act 2023, Section 26. Specifically, the funding utilisation will be portioned as follows:

    40% for the Productive & Resources Sector
    20% for Essential Services
    20% for Cross-Sectoral, Inclusivity, and Gender initiatives
    20% for Social and Cultural Obligations

    The implementation of the 2025 CDF program continues to progress smoothly.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • India has never faced fuel shortage, says Hardeep Puri

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said India has never faced a shortage of petroleum products, even during the Covid pandemic or global conflicts, crediting the government’s foresight for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

    “Whether it was the period of the global Covid pandemic or geopolitical tensions, there has never been a shortage of petroleum products in India. This has been possible due to the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.

    Referring to the recent tensions in the Middle East, including the Israeli attack on Iran that disrupted shipping and threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Puri said India has gradually reduced its dependence on the critical passage.

    “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diversified our supplies in recent years, and a large share of our imports no longer passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

    India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports. A spike in global oil prices directly raises its import bill and fuels inflation, impacting economic growth. To cushion this, India has expanded its oil sources, ramping up imports from Russia and the US, and building strategic reserves.

    The minister said India now has 23 operational refineries with a combined capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum. He also highlighted the setting up of strategic petroleum reserves to ensure supply security during disruptions.

    The country’s storage capacity includes 2.25 million metric tonnes at Pudur, 1.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, and 1.5 MMT at Mangalore.

    Puri also pointed to the government’s push for green fuels, noting that India has met its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol six years ahead of schedule. E20 petrol is now available at outlets of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum across the country.

    “This achievement not only cuts carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. We have saved over Rs 1 lakh crore domestically and Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing our import bill, and this money has gone to our farmers,” he said.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Tracy Roof, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond

    People shop for food in Brooklyn in 2023 at a store that makes sure that its customers know it accepts SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps and EBT.
     Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    The legislative package that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, has several provisions that will shrink the safety net, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, long known as food stamps. SNAP spending will decline by an estimated US$186 billion through 2034 as a result of several changes Congress made to the program that today helps roughly 42 million people buy groceries – an almost 20% reduction.

    In my research on the history of food stamps, I’ve found that the program was meant to be widely available to most low-income people. The SNAP changes break that tradition in two ways.

    The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 3 million people are likely to be dropped from the program and lose their benefits. This decline will occur in part because more people will face time limits if they don’t meet work requirements. Even those who meet the requirements may lose benefits because of difficulty submitting the necessary documents.

    And because states will soon have to take on more of the costs of the program, which totaled over $100 billion in 2024, they may eventually further restrict who gets help due to their own budgetary constraints.

    Summing up SNAP’s origins

    Inspired by the plight of unemployed coal miners whom John F. Kennedy met in Appalachia when he campaigned for the presidency in 1960, the early food stamps program was not limited to single parents with children, older people and people with disabilities, like many other safety net programs were at the time. It was supposed to help low-income people afford more and better food, regardless of their circumstances.

    In response to national attention in the late 1960s to widespread hunger and malnutrition in other areas of the country, such as among tenant farmers in the rural South, a limited food stamps program was expanded. It reached every part of the country by 1974.

    From the start, the states administered the program and covered some of its administrative costs and the federal government paid for the benefits in full. This arrangement encouraged states to enroll everyone who needed help without fearing the budgetary consequences.

    Who could qualify and how much help they could get were set by uniform national standards, so that even the residents of the poorest states would be able to afford a budget-conscious but nutritionally adequate diet.

    The federal government’s responsibility for the cost of benefits also allowed spending to automatically grow during economic downturns, when more people need assistance. These federal dollars helped families, retailers and local economies weather tough times.

    The changes to the SNAP program included in the legislative package that Congress approved by narrow margins and Trump signed into law, however, will make it harder for the program to serve its original goals.

    Restricting benefits

    Since the early 1970s, most so-called able-bodied adults who were not caring for a child or an adult with disabilities had to meet a work requirement to get food stamps. Welfare reform legislation in 1996 made that requirement stricter for such adults between the ages of 18 and 50 by imposing a three-month time limit if they didn’t log 20 hours or more of employment or another approved activity, such as verified volunteering.

    Budget legislation passed in 2023 expanded this rule to adults up to age 54. The 2025 law will further expand the time limit to adults up to age 64 and parents of children age 14 or over.

    States can currently get permission from the federal government to waive work requirements in areas with insufficient jobs or unemployment above the national average. This flexibility to waive work requirements will now be significantly limited and available only where at least 1 in 10 workers are unemployed.

    Concerned senators secured an exemption from the work requirements for most Native Americans and Native Alaskans, who are more likely to live in areas with limited job opportunities.

    A 2023 budget deal exempted veterans, the homeless and young adults exiting the foster care system from work requirements because they can experience special challenges getting jobs. The 2025 law does not exempt them.

    The new changes to SNAP policies will also deny benefits to many immigrants with authorization to be in the U.S., such as people granted political asylum or official refugee status. Immigrants without authorization to reside in the U.S. will continue to be ineligible for SNAP benefits.

    Tracking ‘error rates’

    Critics of food stamps have long argued that states lack incentives to carefully administer the program because the federal government is on the hook for the cost of benefits.

    In the 1970s, as the number of Americans on the food stamp rolls soared, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program, developed a system for assessing if states were accurately determining whether applicants were eligible for benefits and how much they could get.

    A state’s “payment error rate” estimates the share of benefits paid out that were more or less than an applicant was actually eligible for. The error rate was not then and is not today a measure of fraud. Typically, it just indicates the share of families who get a higher – or lower – amount of benefits than they are eligible for because of mistakes or confusion on the part of the applicant or the case worker who handles the application.

    Congress tried to penalize states with error rates over 5% in the 1980s but ultimately suspended the effort under state pressure. After years of political wrangling, the USDA started to consistently enforce financial penalties on states with high error rates in the mid-1990s.

    States responded by increasing their red tape. For example, they asked applicants to submit more documentation and made them go through more bureaucratic hoops, like having more frequent in-person interviews, to get – and continue receiving – SNAP benefits.

    These demands hit low-wage workers hardest because their applications were more prone to mistakes. Low-income workers often don’t have consistent work hours and their pay can vary from week to week and month to month. The number of families getting benefits fell steeply.

    The USDA tried to reverse this decline by offering states options to simplify the process for applying for and continuing to get SNAP benefits over the course of the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Enrollment grew steadily.

    Penalizing high rates

    Since 2008, states with error rates over 6% have had to develop a detailed plan to lower them.

    Despite this requirement, the national average error rate jumped from 7.4% before the pandemic, to a record high of 11.7% in 2023. Rates rose as states struggled with a surge of people applying for benefits, a shortage of staff in state welfare agencies and procedural changes.

    Republican leaders in Congress have responded to that increase by calling for more accountability.

    Making states pay more

    The big legislative package will increase states’ expenses in two ways.

    It will reduce the federal government’s responsibility for half of the cost of administering the program to 25% beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.

    And some states will have to pay a share of benefit costs for the first time in the program’s history, depending on their payment error rates. Beginning in the 2028 fiscal year, states with an error rate between 6-8% would be responsible for 5% of the cost of benefits. Those with an error rate between 8-10% would have to pay 10%, and states with an error rate over 10% would have to pay 15%. The federal government would continue to pay all benefits in states with error rates below 6%.

    Republicans argue the changes will give states more “skin in the game” and ensure better administration of the program.

    While the national payment error rate fell from 11.68% in the 2023 fiscal year to 10.93% a year later, 42 states still had rates in excess of 6% in 2024. Twenty states plus the District of Columbia had rates of 10% or higher.

    At nearly 25%, Alaska has the highest payment error rate in the country. But Alaska won’t be in trouble right away. To ease passage in the Senate, where the vote of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, was in doubt, a provision was added to the bill allowing several states with the highest error rates to avoid cost sharing for up to two years after it begins.

    Democrats argue this may encourage states to actually increase their error rates in the short term.

    The effect of the new law on the amount of help an eligible household gets is expected to be limited.

    About 600,000 individuals and families will lose an average of $100 a month in benefits because of a change in the way utility costs are treated. The law also prevents future administrations from increasing benefits beyond the cost of living, as the Biden Administration did.

    States cannot cut benefits below the national standards set in federal law.

    But the shift of costs to financially strapped states will force them to make tough choices. They will either have to cut back spending on other programs, increase taxes, discourage people from getting SNAP benefits or drop the program altogether.

    The changes will, in the end, make it even harder for Americans who can’t afford the bare necessities to get enough nutritious food to feed their families.

    Tracy Roof does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food – https://theconversation.com/big-legislative-package-shifts-more-of-snaps-costs-to-states-saving-federal-dollars-but-causing-fewer-americans-to-get-help-paying-for-food-260166

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Tracy Roof, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond

    People shop for food in Brooklyn in 2023 at a store that makes sure that its customers know it accepts SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps and EBT.
     Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    The legislative package that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, has several provisions that will shrink the safety net, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, long known as food stamps. SNAP spending will decline by an estimated US$186 billion through 2034 as a result of several changes Congress made to the program that today helps roughly 42 million people buy groceries – an almost 20% reduction.

    In my research on the history of food stamps, I’ve found that the program was meant to be widely available to most low-income people. The SNAP changes break that tradition in two ways.

    The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 3 million people are likely to be dropped from the program and lose their benefits. This decline will occur in part because more people will face time limits if they don’t meet work requirements. Even those who meet the requirements may lose benefits because of difficulty submitting the necessary documents.

    And because states will soon have to take on more of the costs of the program, which totaled over $100 billion in 2024, they may eventually further restrict who gets help due to their own budgetary constraints.

    Summing up SNAP’s origins

    Inspired by the plight of unemployed coal miners whom John F. Kennedy met in Appalachia when he campaigned for the presidency in 1960, the early food stamps program was not limited to single parents with children, older people and people with disabilities, like many other safety net programs were at the time. It was supposed to help low-income people afford more and better food, regardless of their circumstances.

    In response to national attention in the late 1960s to widespread hunger and malnutrition in other areas of the country, such as among tenant farmers in the rural South, a limited food stamps program was expanded. It reached every part of the country by 1974.

    From the start, the states administered the program and covered some of its administrative costs and the federal government paid for the benefits in full. This arrangement encouraged states to enroll everyone who needed help without fearing the budgetary consequences.

    Who could qualify and how much help they could get were set by uniform national standards, so that even the residents of the poorest states would be able to afford a budget-conscious but nutritionally adequate diet.

    The federal government’s responsibility for the cost of benefits also allowed spending to automatically grow during economic downturns, when more people need assistance. These federal dollars helped families, retailers and local economies weather tough times.

    The changes to the SNAP program included in the legislative package that Congress approved by narrow margins and Trump signed into law, however, will make it harder for the program to serve its original goals.

    Restricting benefits

    Since the early 1970s, most so-called able-bodied adults who were not caring for a child or an adult with disabilities had to meet a work requirement to get food stamps. Welfare reform legislation in 1996 made that requirement stricter for such adults between the ages of 18 and 50 by imposing a three-month time limit if they didn’t log 20 hours or more of employment or another approved activity, such as verified volunteering.

    Budget legislation passed in 2023 expanded this rule to adults up to age 54. The 2025 law will further expand the time limit to adults up to age 64 and parents of children age 14 or over.

    States can currently get permission from the federal government to waive work requirements in areas with insufficient jobs or unemployment above the national average. This flexibility to waive work requirements will now be significantly limited and available only where at least 1 in 10 workers are unemployed.

    Concerned senators secured an exemption from the work requirements for most Native Americans and Native Alaskans, who are more likely to live in areas with limited job opportunities.

    A 2023 budget deal exempted veterans, the homeless and young adults exiting the foster care system from work requirements because they can experience special challenges getting jobs. The 2025 law does not exempt them.

    The new changes to SNAP policies will also deny benefits to many immigrants with authorization to be in the U.S., such as people granted political asylum or official refugee status. Immigrants without authorization to reside in the U.S. will continue to be ineligible for SNAP benefits.

    Tracking ‘error rates’

    Critics of food stamps have long argued that states lack incentives to carefully administer the program because the federal government is on the hook for the cost of benefits.

    In the 1970s, as the number of Americans on the food stamp rolls soared, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program, developed a system for assessing if states were accurately determining whether applicants were eligible for benefits and how much they could get.

    A state’s “payment error rate” estimates the share of benefits paid out that were more or less than an applicant was actually eligible for. The error rate was not then and is not today a measure of fraud. Typically, it just indicates the share of families who get a higher – or lower – amount of benefits than they are eligible for because of mistakes or confusion on the part of the applicant or the case worker who handles the application.

    Congress tried to penalize states with error rates over 5% in the 1980s but ultimately suspended the effort under state pressure. After years of political wrangling, the USDA started to consistently enforce financial penalties on states with high error rates in the mid-1990s.

    States responded by increasing their red tape. For example, they asked applicants to submit more documentation and made them go through more bureaucratic hoops, like having more frequent in-person interviews, to get – and continue receiving – SNAP benefits.

    These demands hit low-wage workers hardest because their applications were more prone to mistakes. Low-income workers often don’t have consistent work hours and their pay can vary from week to week and month to month. The number of families getting benefits fell steeply.

    The USDA tried to reverse this decline by offering states options to simplify the process for applying for and continuing to get SNAP benefits over the course of the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Enrollment grew steadily.

    Penalizing high rates

    Since 2008, states with error rates over 6% have had to develop a detailed plan to lower them.

    Despite this requirement, the national average error rate jumped from 7.4% before the pandemic, to a record high of 11.7% in 2023. Rates rose as states struggled with a surge of people applying for benefits, a shortage of staff in state welfare agencies and procedural changes.

    Republican leaders in Congress have responded to that increase by calling for more accountability.

    Making states pay more

    The big legislative package will increase states’ expenses in two ways.

    It will reduce the federal government’s responsibility for half of the cost of administering the program to 25% beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.

    And some states will have to pay a share of benefit costs for the first time in the program’s history, depending on their payment error rates. Beginning in the 2028 fiscal year, states with an error rate between 6-8% would be responsible for 5% of the cost of benefits. Those with an error rate between 8-10% would have to pay 10%, and states with an error rate over 10% would have to pay 15%. The federal government would continue to pay all benefits in states with error rates below 6%.

    Republicans argue the changes will give states more “skin in the game” and ensure better administration of the program.

    While the national payment error rate fell from 11.68% in the 2023 fiscal year to 10.93% a year later, 42 states still had rates in excess of 6% in 2024. Twenty states plus the District of Columbia had rates of 10% or higher.

    At nearly 25%, Alaska has the highest payment error rate in the country. But Alaska won’t be in trouble right away. To ease passage in the Senate, where the vote of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, was in doubt, a provision was added to the bill allowing several states with the highest error rates to avoid cost sharing for up to two years after it begins.

    Democrats argue this may encourage states to actually increase their error rates in the short term.

    The effect of the new law on the amount of help an eligible household gets is expected to be limited.

    About 600,000 individuals and families will lose an average of $100 a month in benefits because of a change in the way utility costs are treated. The law also prevents future administrations from increasing benefits beyond the cost of living, as the Biden Administration did.

    States cannot cut benefits below the national standards set in federal law.

    But the shift of costs to financially strapped states will force them to make tough choices. They will either have to cut back spending on other programs, increase taxes, discourage people from getting SNAP benefits or drop the program altogether.

    The changes will, in the end, make it even harder for Americans who can’t afford the bare necessities to get enough nutritious food to feed their families.

    Tracy Roof does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food – https://theconversation.com/big-legislative-package-shifts-more-of-snaps-costs-to-states-saving-federal-dollars-but-causing-fewer-americans-to-get-help-paying-for-food-260166

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Tracy Roof, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond

    People shop for food in Brooklyn in 2023 at a store that makes sure that its customers know it accepts SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps and EBT.
     Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    The legislative package that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, has several provisions that will shrink the safety net, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, long known as food stamps. SNAP spending will decline by an estimated US$186 billion through 2034 as a result of several changes Congress made to the program that today helps roughly 42 million people buy groceries – an almost 20% reduction.

    In my research on the history of food stamps, I’ve found that the program was meant to be widely available to most low-income people. The SNAP changes break that tradition in two ways.

    The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 3 million people are likely to be dropped from the program and lose their benefits. This decline will occur in part because more people will face time limits if they don’t meet work requirements. Even those who meet the requirements may lose benefits because of difficulty submitting the necessary documents.

    And because states will soon have to take on more of the costs of the program, which totaled over $100 billion in 2024, they may eventually further restrict who gets help due to their own budgetary constraints.

    Summing up SNAP’s origins

    Inspired by the plight of unemployed coal miners whom John F. Kennedy met in Appalachia when he campaigned for the presidency in 1960, the early food stamps program was not limited to single parents with children, older people and people with disabilities, like many other safety net programs were at the time. It was supposed to help low-income people afford more and better food, regardless of their circumstances.

    In response to national attention in the late 1960s to widespread hunger and malnutrition in other areas of the country, such as among tenant farmers in the rural South, a limited food stamps program was expanded. It reached every part of the country by 1974.

    From the start, the states administered the program and covered some of its administrative costs and the federal government paid for the benefits in full. This arrangement encouraged states to enroll everyone who needed help without fearing the budgetary consequences.

    Who could qualify and how much help they could get were set by uniform national standards, so that even the residents of the poorest states would be able to afford a budget-conscious but nutritionally adequate diet.

    The federal government’s responsibility for the cost of benefits also allowed spending to automatically grow during economic downturns, when more people need assistance. These federal dollars helped families, retailers and local economies weather tough times.

    The changes to the SNAP program included in the legislative package that Congress approved by narrow margins and Trump signed into law, however, will make it harder for the program to serve its original goals.

    Restricting benefits

    Since the early 1970s, most so-called able-bodied adults who were not caring for a child or an adult with disabilities had to meet a work requirement to get food stamps. Welfare reform legislation in 1996 made that requirement stricter for such adults between the ages of 18 and 50 by imposing a three-month time limit if they didn’t log 20 hours or more of employment or another approved activity, such as verified volunteering.

    Budget legislation passed in 2023 expanded this rule to adults up to age 54. The 2025 law will further expand the time limit to adults up to age 64 and parents of children age 14 or over.

    States can currently get permission from the federal government to waive work requirements in areas with insufficient jobs or unemployment above the national average. This flexibility to waive work requirements will now be significantly limited and available only where at least 1 in 10 workers are unemployed.

    Concerned senators secured an exemption from the work requirements for most Native Americans and Native Alaskans, who are more likely to live in areas with limited job opportunities.

    A 2023 budget deal exempted veterans, the homeless and young adults exiting the foster care system from work requirements because they can experience special challenges getting jobs. The 2025 law does not exempt them.

    The new changes to SNAP policies will also deny benefits to many immigrants with authorization to be in the U.S., such as people granted political asylum or official refugee status. Immigrants without authorization to reside in the U.S. will continue to be ineligible for SNAP benefits.

    Tracking ‘error rates’

    Critics of food stamps have long argued that states lack incentives to carefully administer the program because the federal government is on the hook for the cost of benefits.

    In the 1970s, as the number of Americans on the food stamp rolls soared, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program, developed a system for assessing if states were accurately determining whether applicants were eligible for benefits and how much they could get.

    A state’s “payment error rate” estimates the share of benefits paid out that were more or less than an applicant was actually eligible for. The error rate was not then and is not today a measure of fraud. Typically, it just indicates the share of families who get a higher – or lower – amount of benefits than they are eligible for because of mistakes or confusion on the part of the applicant or the case worker who handles the application.

    Congress tried to penalize states with error rates over 5% in the 1980s but ultimately suspended the effort under state pressure. After years of political wrangling, the USDA started to consistently enforce financial penalties on states with high error rates in the mid-1990s.

    States responded by increasing their red tape. For example, they asked applicants to submit more documentation and made them go through more bureaucratic hoops, like having more frequent in-person interviews, to get – and continue receiving – SNAP benefits.

    These demands hit low-wage workers hardest because their applications were more prone to mistakes. Low-income workers often don’t have consistent work hours and their pay can vary from week to week and month to month. The number of families getting benefits fell steeply.

    The USDA tried to reverse this decline by offering states options to simplify the process for applying for and continuing to get SNAP benefits over the course of the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Enrollment grew steadily.

    Penalizing high rates

    Since 2008, states with error rates over 6% have had to develop a detailed plan to lower them.

    Despite this requirement, the national average error rate jumped from 7.4% before the pandemic, to a record high of 11.7% in 2023. Rates rose as states struggled with a surge of people applying for benefits, a shortage of staff in state welfare agencies and procedural changes.

    Republican leaders in Congress have responded to that increase by calling for more accountability.

    Making states pay more

    The big legislative package will increase states’ expenses in two ways.

    It will reduce the federal government’s responsibility for half of the cost of administering the program to 25% beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.

    And some states will have to pay a share of benefit costs for the first time in the program’s history, depending on their payment error rates. Beginning in the 2028 fiscal year, states with an error rate between 6-8% would be responsible for 5% of the cost of benefits. Those with an error rate between 8-10% would have to pay 10%, and states with an error rate over 10% would have to pay 15%. The federal government would continue to pay all benefits in states with error rates below 6%.

    Republicans argue the changes will give states more “skin in the game” and ensure better administration of the program.

    While the national payment error rate fell from 11.68% in the 2023 fiscal year to 10.93% a year later, 42 states still had rates in excess of 6% in 2024. Twenty states plus the District of Columbia had rates of 10% or higher.

    At nearly 25%, Alaska has the highest payment error rate in the country. But Alaska won’t be in trouble right away. To ease passage in the Senate, where the vote of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, was in doubt, a provision was added to the bill allowing several states with the highest error rates to avoid cost sharing for up to two years after it begins.

    Democrats argue this may encourage states to actually increase their error rates in the short term.

    The effect of the new law on the amount of help an eligible household gets is expected to be limited.

    About 600,000 individuals and families will lose an average of $100 a month in benefits because of a change in the way utility costs are treated. The law also prevents future administrations from increasing benefits beyond the cost of living, as the Biden Administration did.

    States cannot cut benefits below the national standards set in federal law.

    But the shift of costs to financially strapped states will force them to make tough choices. They will either have to cut back spending on other programs, increase taxes, discourage people from getting SNAP benefits or drop the program altogether.

    The changes will, in the end, make it even harder for Americans who can’t afford the bare necessities to get enough nutritious food to feed their families.

    Tracy Roof does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. ‘Big’ legislative package shifts more of SNAP’s costs to states, saving federal dollars but causing fewer Americans to get help paying for food – https://theconversation.com/big-legislative-package-shifts-more-of-snaps-costs-to-states-saving-federal-dollars-but-causing-fewer-americans-to-get-help-paying-for-food-260166

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged with murder following death of 85-year-old in Lambeth

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been charged with murder following a death of an 85-year-old man in Lambeth.

    Amithraz Balgobin, 36 (27.03.1989), of Woodbourne Avenue, Lambeth, was charged with murder and possession of Class A and Class B drugs on Sunday, 6 July. He was remanded in custody to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 7 July.

    On Friday, 4 July, officers were called at around 13:00hrs by the London Ambulance Service to an address in Churchmore Road, Streatham after an 85-year-old man was reported to have suffered serious injuries.

    Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

    A 36-year-old was arrested nearby and charged with the above.

    The victim’s next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Unicorns, gazelles, little giants: Tech startups thrive in ‘fund jungle’

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    In a high-stakes race to pursue next-generation technologies, Chinese startups specializing in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and advanced manufacturing are gaining momentum through a novel but supportive financing model called the “fund jungle.”

    This ecosystem — a dense network of government-led investment funds, venture capital and corporate backing — is accelerating the rise of so-called “gazelle” firms, unicorns and niche “little giant” enterprises across east China’s Anhui Province and beyond.

    Leading the way is HiDream.ai, which rose to the forefront of global generative AI startups in just two years. With its cinematic-quality video generation technology, the fast-growing firm has attracted 10 million individual users and 40,000 corporate clients worldwide.

    Founder Mei Tao said that starting an AI company was like “venturing into an uncharted territory” where both the technology and the market are entirely new.

    Amid shifting international dynamics that led to a withdrawal of U.S. capital and a relative shortage of RMB venture funding, the company adopted a “move fast with small steps” strategy by demonstrating its value with limited capital to attract follow-up investment.

    The turnaround came last year, when it secured a sizable Series A round, with state-owned Hefei Industry Investment Group being the lead investor, joined by the Anhui artificial intelligence fund of funds and other institutional investors.

    Beyond financing, establishing base in Hefei, provincial capital of Anhui, has helped the company expand its applications in broadcasting, film and television, and tourism, while the local government is aiming to leverage the AI technologies to empower local industries.

    HiDream.ai had good reason to choose Hefei as its base. Anhui Province has set out plans to cultivate a cohort of rapidly growing gazelle companies and a new wave of unicorns, startups valued at over 1 billion U.S. dollars. The province has also pledged support for local “little giant” enterprises, which are specialized small and medium-sized firms that excel in niche markets, drive innovation, tackle frontier technologies, and help strengthen industrial chains.

    To empower these “fantastic beast” companies, Anhui has built a “fund jungle” led by state investors and joined by social capital. The cluster of funds aims to ensure sufficient funding for a tech company at all stages of its growth.

    As of last October, a total of 124 funds with nearly 50 billion yuan (about 7 billion U.S. dollars) in committed capital had been set up in the fund complex, investing in more than 400 projects. The province is home to 2,191 private funds, including 50 angel funds, 734 venture capital funds and 1,407 industrial investment funds.

    “Different industries and different stages of growth have distinct capital needs. A ‘fund jungle’ offers specialized funds for each phase, thus forming a comprehensive matrix that nurtures an industry across its entire lifecycle,” said Tang Zhiqiang, deputy dean of Anhui institute of industry and information technology.

    “This lush ecosystem of funds fuels companies’ growth through tailored financial empowerment,” he added.

    Funds, patience and ecosystem 

    Cowa Robot, based in the city of Wuhu in Anhui, is one of the beneficiaries of this funding ecosystem. The unicorn company’s self-driving vehicles, such as street-cleaning robots, have started operation in more than 50 Chinese cities.

    Lu Wenjun, the company’s vice general manager, said the Wuhu government has deep expertise in robotics and provides clear development pathways along with strong supportive policies. From establishing initial industry frameworks to continuously building the ecosystem, many firms have reaped the benefits.

    “Autonomous driving thrives on high-quality data to refine algorithms, and that data comes from real-world scenarios. Local governments provided critical support, from pilot programs to scaled deployment,” he added.

    Home to automaker Chery and 96 little giant firms, Wuhu is known for patiently nurturing emerging industries. In 2024, the share of R&D expenditures in Wuhu’s GDP reached 4.28 percent, far exceeding the nationwide average of 2.68 percent.

    The city has also set up a fund of 3 billion yuan to spur tech innovation and to solicit participation of social capital.

    Wanzhi District in the city has created a fund jungle totaling 11.1 billion yuan, which has invested in 58 projects and attracted an additional 3.57 billion yuan in non-local capital.

    Here, an industrial park consisting of nearly 200 general aviation companies, from propeller making to pilot training, has taken shape, poised to capitalize on the country’s trillion-yuan low-altitude economy boom.

    The industry can be traced back to 2013, when CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture Co., Ltd. was founded here. The company is now a little giant firm that produces both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), after 12 years of continuous investment in R&D and government support.

    General manager Tian Manlin stressed that low-altitude manufacturing is the core of the low-altitude economy, requiring relentless R&D and industry collaboration.

    A strong focus on R&D is a shared conviction among entrepreneurs in Anhui’s emerging industries. “R&D must never stop,” emphasized Mei Tao, adding that HiDream.ai continually integrates user feedback to refine its models daily.

    “AI demands top talent and heavy funding. A healthy financial ecosystem fuels innovation, helping more tech pioneers break through,” Mei said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks as prepared for delivery by Kim Anderson, NEA Executive Director, to the 104th Representative Assembly

    Source: US National Education Union

    Hello, NEA!

    To our 3 million members…

    7 thousand delegates…

    Board of Directors…

    Executive Committee…

    and our amazing NEA and affiliate staff… thank you for all you do each day to fight for the kids and families and communities we are so lucky to serve.

    I also want to give special recognition to my colleagues in our state affiliates: our state affiliate executive directors.

    Day in and day out you lead and manage with dedication and devotion to this organization.

    As executive directors, we partner with leaders elected by NEA members to advance a glorious mission, vision, and set of core values.

    And I must say that at the national level, we have a tireless leader of our extraordinary union… a fearless champion for students, educators, and the just and equitable public education system on which our nation’s future depends… President Becky Pringle.

    Delegates, you heard President Pringle the other day lay out many of the challenges we face in our country — a perilous moment for our democracy.  A crossroads between democracy and authoritarianism.

    You heard from Dr. Cowen about the throughline connecting those who are funding efforts to dismantle public education run with the same crowd trying to dismantle democracy.

    And you had the distinct honor of hearing from our dear friend and colleague, the General Secretary of Education International, about the anti-democratic challenges that our educator siblings face around the world.

    Delegates, I want to talk very tactically and clinically about the methodology being used.

    Because in order to Educate, Communicate, Litigate, Organize, Mobilize, Legislate and Elect, we have to understand the strategy we are up against.

    Our opponents have built their strategy on four C’s:

    Chaos

    Raise your hands if this sounds familiar:

    How many people find it nearly impossible to keep up with the onslaught of 166 Executive Orders (EO’s) signed to date and the resulting lawsuits that pop up in our news feeds almost daily?

    How many people have adopted a strategy to ration your news intake in order to protect your mental health?

    Yep. Project 2025 told us this Administration would flood the zone with countless rollbacks of policies designed to make us safer, healthier, more prosperous, and more free as a People.

    They want to spread the pro-democracy coalition wide and thin, dividing us up into narrow factions assuming we will fight only to protect the interests closest to us…spreading us too wide and too thin to mount a collective defense.

    Chaos theory is designed to weaken opposition to the regime in power.

    Control

    How many of you have been told to stop teaching what you know to be true?

    How many of you have had to take books off your shelves… or faced other forms of censorship?  

    In an effort to comply with the Administration’s Executive Order related to diversity, equity and inclusion, there were 381 books removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library, including Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and many other books reflecting the beautiful mosaic of authors in America.

    They removed books that studied the KKK and the history of lynching in America, and yet they left ON the shelf “Mein Kampf” by Adolph Hitler.

    Imagine that!

    This Administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions that do not comply with its attempt to obliterate the free marketplace of ideas.

    They know that the mere threat alone will lead to people self-censoring — even before there is any edict requiring it.

    We’ve seen the mad rush in higher education institutions and corporations across the country to scrub the aspirational words of diversity, equity, and inclusion from their websites, and policies, and shutter programs that create safe spaces for freedom of thought and expression.

    This form of retaliatory control is designed to stifle dissent — a right so important, it was the first one enshrined in our Bill of Rights. As my daughter said to me last night, dissent is patriotic.

    Cruelty

    How many of you are working with students who fear their parents will be snatched off the street?

    How many of you have students who don’t have enough to eat at home?

    Well delegates, this big, bad, disgusting bill that passed the House two days ago, POURS more money into ICE and strips money out of food assistance programs.

    Ripping children away from their parents, letting kids go hungry…this is BEYOND cruel.

    It is immoral.

    This use of cruelty is designed to make us all afraid.

    Afraid for our lives.

    Afraid for our families.

    Afraid for our jobs if we speak up.

    It’s designed to make us bow down.

    To comply.

    To submit.

    This nation was conceived in liberty, and freedom is supposed to be our birthright.

    We didn’t want kings in 1776, and we damn sure don’t want kings now.

    Chaos. Control. Cruelty.

    The sum of that formula is corruption.

    To line billionaires’ pockets with tax breaks on the backs of everyone else.

    Do you know that 50 of the S&P 500 companies in the U.S. paid $0 in income tax last year?

    Guess which company was at the top of that list?

    Tesla.

    Despite reporting a $15 billion profit in 2023, Tesla took a $5 billion tax credit!

    It’s reported that between Tesla, Starlink and X, Musk’s companies are making $38 billion in government contracts, subsidies, or tax credits.

    Meaning that WE’RE paying Elon, rather than Elon contributing to the common good.

    And he’s not alone.

    This big, bad, horrible, no good bill that just passed the House two days ago gives over $1 trillion of our tax dollars — the tax dollars of hard-working, everyday Americans — to the wealthiest among us.

    Over 12 million people will lose their healthcare over the life of this bill.

    And Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos….and yes, the Trump organization will all get even richer.

    So the people who bankrolled the last Presidential campaign are getting quite a return on their investment, while everyone else is less healthy, less safe, and less able to see the American Dream as their probability.

    We wake up to policies like this and a social media machine that gaslights Americans every day.

    They want us to believe that immigrants or poor Americans are to blame for the economic rules that have allowed companies like Tesla to pay ZERO income tax.

    And by the way, I hold both major political parties responsible for the decades of economic rules that have diminished the number of people who have a voice in their workplace through belonging to a union.

    Every human being elected has the responsibility of governing on behalf of all of us.

    It means doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people possible.

    And it damn sure means solving more problems than you create!

    So delegates, yesterday’s celebration of Independence Day took on different meaning for me.

    As I do every year, on July 4th, I spend some time reading portions of our founding documents. So yesterday, I focused on this:

    “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.”

    The first words of the U.S. Constitution.

    The roadmap for how we as Americans are to govern ourselves, not be ruled by someone else.

    We know the work of democracy is hard.

    It’s messy and uneven and really never ever complete. The work of democracy is like the work of justice….

    To paraphrase Executive Committee Member Mark Jewell, “we are never arriving, always becoming.”

    From the 13th Amendment ending slavery to 19th amendment granting voting rights to women….

    From Social Security to IDEA.…

    From Pell Grants to the Affordable Care Act…

    From Title I to the Higher Education Act….

    It has always taken ordinary people to bend the arc of history toward justice….

    And part of becoming a more perfect union is opening the doors of opportunity wider, not slamming them closed.

    So what’s it going to take, delegates, to rescue democracy and public education?

    Yes, it will take those seven verbs, delegates, that President Pringle outlined the other day:

    Educate. Communicate. Litigate. Organize. Mobilize. Legislate.

    And Elect pro-public education, pro-democracy champions.

    I would submit to you, delegates, that the most potent contribution NEA could make to the effort is through organizing and mobilizing millions of Americans to resist….to say NO….to say our democracy belongs to us!

    But it’s critical that we learn from other countries around the world, and what we know is that an organized, sustained resistance is the key.

    Delegates, Harvard Professor Erica Chenoweth has studied examples around the world of what it takes to topple authoritarian rule.

    Her research shows that when 3.5 percent of a nation’s population stands together in sustained nonviolent resistance, the probability of toppling authoritarianism goes way up.

    In the United States, that’s roughly 12 million people… and NEA — we are 3 million strong.

    If each of us could activate just one person, we’d have nearly 6 million people.

    And if each of those mobilized just one more, we’d be 12 million allies in the fight.

    NEA, this is the biggest movement moment since the Civil War.

    I’m personally so inspired by all of you: the millions of members and thousands of delegates who call this union home.

    I’m also inspired by my friends and family members.

    Earlier this year, during the Hands Off protest in Washington D.C., I met up with a few of them who had come down from New England.

    We were all together on the National Mall, holding up our handmade signs, and one of my family members was there celebrating her 80th birthday.

    She said, “Kim, I was here during the March on Washington. I was here to protest the Vietnam War. I was here fighting for women’s rights. I can’t think of anywhere else that I am supposed to be today.”

    We talked about the masked men who are indiscriminately grabbing people off of American streets to be sent to God knows where – without due process, without warrants, without question.

    We talked about the gravity of the moment that we are in, and she said to me, “I’ve lived my life. If they have to take someone, they should take me.”

    Someone in my family was literally willing to put it all on the line for the values we believe in.

    My family and I talked to many seasoned members of the protest community that day.

    So many of them were of the same mind.

    They were extraordinary.

    They were brave.

    They were willing to stand ten toes down on their values.

    And even as my family member’s words made my eyes fill with tears, they also filled my heart with resolve.

    But one thing’s for sure: We cannot save anyone or anything by keeping quiet and hoping it all goes away.

    In the face of injustice, as the great civil rights leader Audre Lorde said, “Our silence won’t protect us.”

    And Lorde is right.

    This administration only takes notice when we are united and loud… when we are brave enough to step up and step forward, and say, “Not on our watch.”

    So it matters that people in communities nationwide — teachers, parents, librarians, public education advocates — are staging walk-ins…and resisting book bans… and creating safe zones for children at school.

    And it matters that the NEA, our union, is at the vanguard.

    But I do need to acknowledge: Being brave can feel scary — especially when your job is at stake.

    And, even more, if you feel like you are standing all alone.

    So delegates I want you to remember:

    You are never alone.

    This union has your back.

    And when it comes to courage, every small act makes a difference.

    Maybe it’s comforting a terrified student who fears their parents will get ripped away from them.

    Maybe it’s planning a joyful event for your colleagues — celebrating a special occasion or simply because you made it through another day together.

    These acts of resilience –  of love – can be the spark that lights a fire… giving someone else the energy… inspiration… and confidence to act as well.

    Organize. Mobilize.

    Delegates, our assignment is clear:

    Twelve million Americans must choose each day to engage in big and small acts of resistance and noncooperation with an Administration that has no intention of recognizing ANY of our constitutional rights.

    Sometimes acts of resistance can be singular, but they have an incredible ripple effect.

    Like our union sibling Idaho sixth-grade history teacher Sarah Inama.

    When Sarah’s school district told her to take down a classroom sign that said “Everyone is welcome here,” Sarah refused.

    And in her words, “It was so simple to me. Either everyone is welcome here or not.”

    Sarah’s defiance — and the solidarity from our Idaho affiliate — helped shine a spotlight on the threats and intimidation our students, schools, and educators face today.

    Stories like this will mobilize even more people to our cause… and help us drive momentum not only to resist but, yes, to BUILD.

    Because, in a time when the rules are being flouted… when longstanding norms are being shattered… we have a chance to remake systems that are more just, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

    Our union itself can be a model of what that future can hold.

    A place where people from all walks of life can come together and work together in support of the common good.

    And let me say it loud and clear:

    Everyone is welcome here!

    And we NEED everyone engaged!

    Already this year, organizing, mobilizing, and collective action has led to meaningful legislative wins — wins that make life better for students and the educators who serve them.

    • In Alaska, lawmakers significantly and permanently boosted funding for state education.
    • In Mississippi, greater funding includes increases in educators’ health insurance premiums and retirement pay.
    • The Texas legislature passed a record school funding bill with the largest teacher pay increase in state history.

    But we know we must push for more.

    And just as important as what we’ve helped push through is what we’ve blocked.

    • Our efforts in Montana, the Dakotas, and New Hampshire helped ensure bad bills on issues such as vouchers, funding caps, and open enrollment never made it out of committee.
    • Montana also joined Indiana in successfully contesting and, in some cases, defeating anti-union and anti-collective bargaining bills.
    • In Tennessee, when a bill was introduced that would have allowed public schools to deny enrollment to immigrant students, we helped make sure it died before the end of the legislative session.
    • And in Utah, when the legislature passed a bill rolling back collective bargaining rights for Utah education employees, UEA, USEA, and NEA marshalled a huge labor coalition effort to collect 324,000 signatures in 31 days to place a measure on the ballot to repeal the legislature’s attack on our bargaining rights.

    NEA, our collective action is bringing real results.

    And we will not yield in our defense of education, freedom, and democracy.

    We will not yield in our support of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    And guess what?

    The harder we fight, the stronger our union grows.

    Despite relentless assaults on our affiliates across the country, we are going to finish this year with net membership growth for the first time since the pandemic!

    Delegates, I want to assure you that for years NEA has been steadily increasing its support of year-round organizing in our affiliates.

    We now have 2,194 member organizers that we support through our year-round organizing program, lifted up by talented staff.

    We’ve expanded our Growth and Strength Program, which has helped affiliates hire and deploy 167 full-time staff organizers across the country.

    And we created a Campaign Lab for local affiliates to learn how to develop organizing campaigns to win the schools our students and educators deserve.

    We’ve expanded grants for locals engaged in not only bargaining for the common good but achieving labor-management collaboration systems in the places where there are trusting, productive relationships between our members, administrators, and school board members.

    NEA has increased its support for affiliates who are organizing recognition and first contract campaigns, yielding new units in Colorado, New York, New Mexico, and Kansas.

    • In North Carolina (a non-bargaining state), Asheville City Association of Educators became the first local in North Carolina to reach majority status!
    • And the Durham Association of Educators launched a campaign for Meet and Confer authority and in the process won a school budget that was over 2.5 times larger than any budget request in memory….AND they tripled their membership.
    • In Texas, the San Antonio Alliance won the biggest compensation package in 25 years.
    • In Arizona, the Tucson Education Association won 12 weeks of paid parental leave — the first of its kind in the state!
    • In California, members in Sacramento fought to create Community Schools steering committees at the district and site levels and won 10% across the board compensation increases.
    • In San Francisco, UESF won an 84% raise for their lowest paid classified workers, Community Schools CBA language.
    • And the great United Teachers of Los Angeles won the second largest pay increase ever almost 23% over three years. They achieved a reduction in standardized testing and stood in solidarity with their SEIU colleagues on a 3-day ULP strike.

    When We Fight…….

    And we don’t just Fight Back, we Fight Forward!

    Delegates, our mission statement declares that “Our work is fundamental to the nation.”

    America needs our strength.

    America needs our resilience.

    America needs our vision and power to create something new… something beautiful… 

    A public education system that welcomes and prepares every student and a democracy that delivers for everyone!

    Let’s Go NEA!  Let’s Go!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government congratulates Young Farmer of the Year 2025

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Acting Prime Minister has extended warm congratulations to Hugh Jackson on being crowned the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
    “Last night I was lucky enough to attend the Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill. It was a brilliant event, celebrating the future of farming and showcasing their expertise, leadership, and passion for agriculture,” says Mr Seymour. 
    “Hugh Jackson from the Waikato Bay of Plenty demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and knowledge in one of the most historic competitions in the country. They have a bright future ahead of them, and I wish them all the best for their future in farming.
    “Even for a townie from Epsom it’s impossible to not appreciate the contribution farmers make to New Zealand. We are lucky to live in a country that produces food the world loves, and with export revenue on track to surpass $60 billion for the first time, agriculture is very much central to New Zealand’s future prosperity.
    “Last night’s awards ceremony was testament not only to the achievements of those competing, but to the strength and future of New Zealand’s rural sector. The industry is in safe hands judging by the talent on display. 
    “I’d also like to thank the organisers for inviting me to this event. It is inspiring to see the next generation of farmers being recognized for their talent and passion.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Loeffler Issues Statement on One Big Beautiful Bill Signing

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON — Today, after President Donald J. Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), released the following statement:

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill is a landmark victory for America’s small businesses, and it cements President Trump’s legacy as the greatest small business champion our country has ever known,” said Loeffler. “These historic tax cuts lay the foundation for generational prosperity on Main Street – ushering in a new era of growth, hiring, investment, and opportunity for job creators. I applaud Congressional Republicans for their efforts to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I thank President Trump for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to putting American workers and job creators first.”

    Administrator Loeffler has been one of the Trump Administration’s most outspoken proponents of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Last month, she embarked on a national tour to tout its benefits alongside America’s small business owners – traveling to Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, and North Carolina.

    In addition to delivering the largest tax cut in history for middle and working-class Americans – increasing annual take-home pay by at least $10,000 for most families – the One Big Beautiful Bill includes revolutionary reforms to end entitlement abuse, secure the border, stop the Green New Scam, and slash wasteful spending. It also includes numerous provisions that will directly empower small businesses and workers, including:

    • Prevents the largest tax hike in history, making the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts permanent and increasing the standard deduction for every American family.
    • Makes the Small Business Tax Deduction Permanent, preserving the 199A 20% small business deduction, which will generate $750 billion in economic growth and create over 1 million new Main Street jobs. Without the One Big Beautiful Bill, 26 million small businesses would have seen their top tax rate double to 43%.
    • Supports the return of Made in America by allowing 100 percent expensing for new factories, factory improvements, equipment, and research and development.
    • Ends the war on the gig economy by removing the requirement that Venmo, PayPal, and other gig transactions over $600 be reported to the IRS.
    • Protects family farmers by preventing the death tax from hitting 2 million family-owned farms who would otherwise see their exemptions cut in half.
    • Cuts taxes on seniors, tips, and overtime, saving tipped and overtime workers up to $1,750 per year.
    • Protects Medicaid for working Americans, by ending benefits for at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants who are gaming the system.
    • Increases the child tax credit to $2,200 per family.

    # # #

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –